This is my 2nd time in Africa - after Morocco - discovering a beautiful and unique part of the world to me. Hereby I will try to summarise my learnings, takeaways and discoveries.
From London we flew to Tunis, the vibrant capital of Tunisia, which serves as a captivating introduction to this North African nation. As a country, Tunisia is rich in history, from the ancient ruins of Carthage nearby to its modern role as the birthplace of the Arab Spring.
About Tunisia
Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is the northernmost country in Africa. Its Mediterranean coast offers stunning beaches, while its interior connects to the vast Sahara Desert, where all the Tatooine scenes for Star Wars A New Hope were shot!
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Algeria and Libya. |
| Official Language | Arabic, with French also widely spoken due to historical ties. |
| Economy | Diverse, including agriculture (olives, dates), mining (phosphates), and a significant tourism sector. |
| History | Home to the ancient Phoenician city of Carthage, a major rival to Rome. |
When it comes to things that I loved, I can’t omit the following:
Cuisine: Tunisian food is distinctively spicy, featuring Harissa, a hot chili pepper paste, as a common condiment. Couscous is the national dish (even better if it's lamb and dry fruits couscous). Seafood is abundant along the coast. We also tried and loved marka hlouwa and mloukhia, 2 meals most likely we will never have again.
The Markets (Souks): The heart of daily life is the market, or Souk, located within the Medina is where day to day life happens. These markets are central to trade and tradition, offering everything from spices and ceramics to traditional clothing and leather goods.
Architecture & the Medina: The capital, Tunis, showcases a blend of the ancient Medina (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the colonial-era Ville Nouvelle. The Medina, with its labyrinthine streets, is a living example of centuries of urban planning and a center for traditional Tunisian crafts. We also spent a full day up north in beautiful Carthage
As a fútbol fan I learnt the most important clubs in Tunis is Espérance Sportive de Tunis and let’s not forget the national team - The Eagles of Carthage - which had an ‘ok’ participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
When it comes to history and after visiting the famous 14th January Square I read more on how
Tunisia holds a unique and crucial place in modern history as the catalyst for the broader wave of protests known as the Arab Spring.
The revolution began in December 2010 after the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor in the city of Sidi Bouzid protesting against humiliation and poor economic conditions.
The ensuing widespread protests, fueled by high unemployment, corruption, and political repression, led to the ousting of long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011.
Unlike many other nations that experienced the Arab Spring, Tunisia successfully transitioned to a democracy, a process marked by the signing of a new constitution in 2022. The country is often cited as the most successful democratic transition among the affected nations.
On and off it was a fantastic trip, meeting friendly people, learning about a fantastic culture and dipping my toes (again) on the African continent. Can’t wait to go back again and learn from a new culture.
Some of my quick recommendations for Tunisia:
To stay: enjoyed the Royal Victoria Hotel, well located,quiet and with a good restaurant
To eat: Bab Tounès, Ristorante Medina tunisi and Matcha Club | Carthage
To see: the Bardo museum, the Roman archeological ruins, the Kasbah Square, the City of culture, Sidi Bou Saïd and the museum of Dar El Annabi
Day to day: taxi is the best way of transport, have cash with you - cards are not widely accepted - most of the restaurants in Tunis close early, not always easy to find a good place to eat.
